Tasting Notes
A dark red colour shimmering with deep purple glints. A powerful nose revealing fresh notes of cassis and violet. The silky mouth displays an almost opulent fullness, with an aftertaste of red berries and woodiness with a subtle hint of vanilla. The finish is persistent on ripe tannins and a certain minerality unique to its terroir.
Food Pairing:
Roast Duck, Red meats, Roast Chicken, Game, Stews
The Wine:
Graves, (the original name for the Pessac Leognan appellation) takes its name from the unique soils that consist of deep layers of gravel and stone.
Graves is located just to the south and east of Bordeaux city on the left bank of the Garonne River and not too far from Sauternes. Graves is a naturally warm climate appellation, due to its proximity to the city. The Graves appellation can receive more precipitation than its neighbouring appellations as well, which alters its climate. However, it is the gravel, rocks and stone filled terroir in the vineyards that give the appellation its name and identity.
To get an idea on how the soil and terroir of Graves compares to the other important appellations in Bordeaux; The terroir and soil of Bordeaux Graves is one of the few Bordeaux appellations with their terroir as the appellation is well-suited for the production of red, white and sweet Bordeaux wine.
It can be a difficult region for growers who must remain vigilant as the soils can be a bit too warm for the white wine and slightly too cool for the red wine. This situation requires a lot of work and attention when it comes to the decision of when to harvest.
Classification of Graves: This is a complicated subject as it has a few twists and turns. In 1855, with the exception of Chateau Haut Brion, which was classed as a First Growth, the remaining producers from the Graves area were excluded from the original classification of 1855.
That situation was finally rectified in 1953 when the wines from the area of Graves were officially classified. Although it took several more years before the official 1959 Graves Classifications was finalized.
At the time of the classification, the chateaux in the area were considered a part of Graves, meaning this was well in advance of the creation of Pessac Leognan as a unique, separate AOC appellation. Pessac Leognan as an appellation was only created in September 1987.
With the creation of Graves as its own appellation, the remaining vineyards were never classified. However, it is interesting to note that on the labels of the Classified Growths from Pessac Leognan, they continue stating “Cru Classe de Graves”.
Grape varieties: 50% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc
Other Information:
Serve between 16° and 18°C.
Drink within 2 years.
- 2018 vintage
- Boxes contain 6 x 750mL units
- FRA - Graves, Imported
- Cork closure
- 13.5% alc.
In Brief
Totally delicious A powerful nose revealing fresh notes of cassis and violet. The silky mouth displays an almost opulent fullness, with an aftertaste of red berries and woodiness with a subtle hint of vanilla. The finish is persistent on ripe tannins and a certain minerality unique to its terroir.